A new poll finds six-term Republican Senator Chuck Grassley holding a “comfortable” double-digit lead over Democratic challenger Patty Judge. The Quinnipiac University Poll found Grassley had the support of 56 percent of those surveyed, compared to 38 percent support for Judge. That’s an 18 point lead. Sixty-percent of independent voters and 95 percent of Iowa Republicans surveyed support Grassley.

Grassley had a 33 percent advantage among male voters. He also had an edge among women, but it was narrower, at seven percent. The Quinnipiac Poll may provide a glimpse into early voting trends in Iowa. Judge holds a 15-point lead over Grassley among Iowans who’ve already voted. That suggests Democrats may hold a double-digit lead in over-all absentee balloting in the state.

The Quinnipiac Poll results announced yesterday on the presidential race in Iowa found 61 percent of the state’s early voters support Clinton, compared to 27 percent who’ve voted for Trump.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:53 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police have charged a woman with election misconduct after officials reported she voted twice. Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek says officers charged 55-year-old Terri Rote with first-degree election misconduct Thursday after being notified by elections officials that she had submitted two absentee ballots. She was booked into the Polk County Jail and released after posting a bond. Polk County Attorney John Sarcone says it one of the few examples he’s seen of alleged voter fraud.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say the driver injured earlier this month when his tanker truck burst into flames at an ethanol plant in Council Bluffs has died. John Ticer with the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office says 61-year-old Kenneth Dale Krumwiede of Walthill, Nebraska, died Sunday at an Omaha hospital.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state board has voted to pursue open records complaints against Burlington police and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation over records regarding a fatal shooting. The Iowa Public Information Board voted 5-3 Thursday to reinstate charges in connection to investigative records about an officer’s accidental shooting of Burlington resident Autumn Steel in January 2015. Authorities say they properly released records as required by law.

NORWALK, Iowa (AP) — A fifth-grade teacher in central Iowa has been named the state’s teacher of the year. Education officials announced Friday that Shelly Vroegh of Lakewood Elementary School in Norwalk was selected as the 2017 Iowa Teacher of the Year. Four other teachers were named as finalists. Officials at a Friday press conference highlighted her work as a district mentor and elementary math curriculum leader.

A man who allegedly tried to set a car on fire in Council Bluffs Friday evening, was arrested shortly afterward for Arson in the 2nd Degree, and on a Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Council Bluffs Police said Friday 24-year old Marquez Sanders, of Council Bluffs, was taken into custody at around 5:40-p.m., after Officers investigated a disturbance at 1435 North 15^th Street.

Marquez Sanders

During their investigation, Officers spoke with 52-year old Mark Van Outry, of Council Bluffs, who said that he was in a verbal disturbance with Sanders.  Sanders left the building after the disturbance, and when he went outside of the building, allegedly took a towel and lit it on fire before placing the towel inside a 2000 Mercury Sable, owned by Mark Van Outry.

Bystanders were able to extinguish the fire.  Sanders was located by officers as he was leaving the scene.  He was booked into Pottawattamie County Corrections.  The investigation was a coordinated effort between the Council Bluffs Police Department and the Council Bluffs Fire Department.

An investigation into an accident that took place March 22nd in Taylor County, has led to a Homicide by Vehicle charge. The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office says on Oct. 20th, criminal charges were filed against 47-year old Rachael Dawn Reed, of Lenox. The accident claimed the life of 47-year old Teresa Moses, of Lenox. Reed is expected in Taylor County Court for an initial appearance on November 3rd.

The accident happened  at around 4:12-p.m., March 22nd. Authorities say Reed, who was 46-years old at the time, was traveling west on 130th Street near Yellowstone Avenue in Taylor County, when she lost control of the 2005 Kia Sorrento on the gravel. The car rolled several times. Three occupants of the vehicle, who were not wearing their seat belts, were ejected, while a fourth person was trapped in the vehicle.

One of the victims, Theresa Moses, wass taken by air to Des Moines where she later died from her injuries. 54-year old Junior Chumbley, Jr., and 32-year old Kyle Gile were flown to hospitals in Des Moines. Rachel Reed was taken by ambulance to Creston.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a driver injured earlier this month when his tanker truck burst into flames at an ethanol plant in Council Bluffs has died. John Ticer with the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office says 61-year-old Kenneth Dale Krumwiede, of Walthill, Nebraska, died Sunday at an Omaha hospital.

Ticer says the investigation into what caused the Oct. 7th fire and explosion continues. Officials are meeting with engineers at the facility next week to determine the cause. Firefighters from multiple nearby departments were called to contain the fire, which required special foam to extinguish the ethanol-fueled flames.